A bill filed by state Rep. Joe Moody, D-El Paso, on Monday would require prosecutors and defense lawyers in criminal cases to open their files to their opponents. It could have momentum in the wake of Michael Morton's exoneration. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/02/04/Pool-TXA-Court.jpg)
As he jousts with the University of Texas Board of Regents, University of Texas at Austin President Bill Powers was honored Monday in both chambers of the Texas Legislature. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/BillPowers-2.jpg)
Legislation creating a new state board to oversee charter school applications and removing limits on the number of state charter contracts was filed Monday by Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/_KCB0268.jpg)
Harris County prosecutors will seek a new execution date on Monday for death row inmate Duane Buck. His defenders say race played a role in his death sentence. Prosecutors say courts have "thoroughly reviewed" and rejected his claims. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Duane_Buck.png)
In 2011, Texas House Democrats were dejected, demoralized and badly outnumbered. Their numbers have improved. Now the question is whether they can move as a bloc. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/02/15/DonkeysStare-4b.jpg)
Plans to build a new Gulf Coast power plant called White Stallion have fizzled, marking a victory for environmental advocates and — for now, at least — the demise of new coal plant projects in Texas. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/COAL_LCRA2288.JPG)
Through a program operated by a Houston nonprofit, some Texas inmates who will soon be released get a chance to learn business skills and work on plans to start their own businesses. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/02/15/TxTrib-PEP002_1.JPG)
The Prison Entrepreneurship Program at the Cleveland Correctional Center trains selected inmates, who will soon be released, to design their own businesses. Here's a series of photographs from a recent class. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/02/16/PEP_SLIDE008.JPG)
Democrats in the Texas House last week launched an effort to restore public education cuts, setting up a potential battle over an emergency supplemental appropriations bill. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/02/11/_01F1559.jpg)
A leaked White House plan has injected new rancor into the fight over immigration reform. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Capitol-4.jpg)
In this edition of the Texas Weekly Newsreel: The House is off and running with the first of several supplemental appropriations bills. The state might opt out of Medicaid expansion, but counties might take part. And Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson talks about why he's running for office in 2014. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/021513_ART.jpg)
It's no surprise who leads off this week's playlist of songs based on the week's news. We just had to start with a song by controversial State of the Union attendee Ted Nugent. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Nuge-wide.jpg)
Many in El Paso say the conditions are just right for Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform with bipartisan support. And they say that some lawmakers' demands for more border security first ignore reality. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/02/15/Immigration_ART.jpg)
Aaronson on Dallas County's case for expanding Medicaid, Aguilar on a freshman lawmaker's first weeks in office, Batheja on plans to undo some education cuts, Galbraith on why renewable energy faces hurdles in the Lege, Hamilton on the billionaire who could be UT's next regent, Murphy charts STAAR results for every school district, Ramsey on the epic battle of Perry vs. Jerry, Root on the last bastion of state government secrecy, my sit-down with a wannabe lieutenant governor and M. Smith on the paltry pay of part-time legislators: The best of our best content from Feb. 11 to 15, 2013. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/02/15/02112013-Tribweek.jpg)
Your evening reading: George P. Bush says he'll announce political intentions before end of session; scrutiny of Cruz continues; Lamar Smith calls meteor a reminder to fund space programs Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/GeorgePBush_1.jpg)
More controversy has erupted over a state tax incentive program after a Houston television station reported that it was used to buy "big screens for billionaires." Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/02/15/ToyotaStadium-Screen.jpg)
Full video of my 2/14 TribLive conversation with Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson, an announced candidate for lieutenant governor in 2014. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/Patterson-1.jpg)
A scholarship to help students trapped in failing public schools attend another of their choice is near the top of the legislative agenda for top Republican leaders. But Texas has a similar existing program, and it is dramatically underused. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/02/14/SchoolFleeing-2.jpg)
This session, renewable energy advocates are bracing to defend critical policies that have helped Texas become the leading wind-power state. The discussions include a renewable energy mandate and a key tax incentive. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/02/14/TxTrib-SolarFarm001.JPG)
Freshman state Rep. Jason Villalba, R-Dallas, has been held up by some Republicans as a symbol of the party’s growing popularity with Hispanics. He says he is only motivated by the issues facing his constituents. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/02/14/Villalba-2.jpg)